Their devastating start produced a goal inside two minutes, Scarlett and Tia linking up to put Inka through for the game's opener. The second fell to Ellie-Mae, a thunderous shot from the right side of the area, Scarlett and Tia again influential in setting up the chance. The third came via a cross from Inka, a controlled shot from Abigail billowing the net.
Though shell-shocked after the opening, Cambridge remained dangerous at all times, but resolute defending from captain Emily, Louise and Tyler and fine keeping from Skye kept them at bay. Indeed, it took an unusual goal for Cambridge to break their duck, a shot straight back in to the box from a Stortford goal-kick that caught Skye out of position and made it 1-3.
Back Stortford came though, Inka first heading against the bar and then finding the net in the resultant goal-mouth scramble. The fifth of the half came just before the break, Scarlett profiting from a slight deflection as she shot home from a corner.
The second half was guaranteed a Cambridge come back and sure enough it came, though Stortford were equal to the challenge, playing a little deeper to absorb the attacks. City pulled one back mid-way through the half, a nice finish on the end of a great cross, but the majority of their threat was stifled in it's construction - there was no chance the girls in blue would let this lead splip. The pace of the game remained high right to the end, Stortford hanging on a little at times, two fabulous saves from Skye keeping the 3 goal cushion intact. Into the last couple of minutes and Cambridge finally found a way through again, this time from a corner to bring the score to 3-5, but the mountain that Bishops Stortford had built in the first half was too high for them to climb, the final whistle bringing relief and joy to the Stortford players and travelling support.
The account above doesn't do complete justice to some outstanding performances. Everyone stood up to be counted in this, the hardest of games and they quite simply blew Cambridge away in an opening half that saw complete unity and single purpose across the team. The defence, led by Emily who produced perhaps her finest performance in a Stortford shirt, were focused and unflinching, tracking every attack and leaving no opening. Skye provided further security behind that wall and produced important saves at crucial times and assurance that gave those in front of her greater confidence. Tyler and Louise worked in seamless combination with both Emily in the defensive line and with their respective midfield partners, passing and supporting that calmly moved the ball away from danger and into potential attack. The midfield trio gave their all. Scarlett was the pivot point in the centre, quickly linking moves across the park, robustly winning important challenges and always a threat at the edge of the box. Ellie-Mae brought fear into the eyes of the opposition, her ball carrying as dangerous and marauding as Tottenham's Gareth Bale, a comparison I hope that even an ardent gunner will appreciate. Abigail showed the grit, determination and bravery that a game such as today's required, yet combined this with a deft touch, intelligent reading of the game and calm finishing that is the trademark of her game, another big leader on the pitch. At the top of the formation, Tia and Inka provided the forward threat that picked at the City defence constantly, a combination that grows in effectiveness week by week, full of touches and finesse, running for each other on and off the ball to fine effect and great link up passing to put one or other through to a shooting opportunity. Finally, in a game where substitutions were implemented purely tactically and in the end sparingly a word for, Faye, Simi and Abby who along with the cheering Elly, accepted their lack of activity for the cause of the team, always ready, each with their own particularly spice to add to the pot.
After such a satisfying performance it is perhaps easy to wallow in hyperbole, but to my mind this was the team's greatest performance in four terrific seasons - a high accolade in view of the girls' back catalogue of outstanding matches, but one I think is deserved. I am so pleased that so many blues supporters were there to witness it. The volume and positivity of your support carried the team through and for that the girls and I are and remain, extremely appreciative.
A new standard was set this week. Well done to one and all.
The account above doesn't do complete justice to some outstanding performances. Everyone stood up to be counted in this, the hardest of games and they quite simply blew Cambridge away in an opening half that saw complete unity and single purpose across the team. The defence, led by Emily who produced perhaps her finest performance in a Stortford shirt, were focused and unflinching, tracking every attack and leaving no opening. Skye provided further security behind that wall and produced important saves at crucial times and assurance that gave those in front of her greater confidence. Tyler and Louise worked in seamless combination with both Emily in the defensive line and with their respective midfield partners, passing and supporting that calmly moved the ball away from danger and into potential attack. The midfield trio gave their all. Scarlett was the pivot point in the centre, quickly linking moves across the park, robustly winning important challenges and always a threat at the edge of the box. Ellie-Mae brought fear into the eyes of the opposition, her ball carrying as dangerous and marauding as Tottenham's Gareth Bale, a comparison I hope that even an ardent gunner will appreciate. Abigail showed the grit, determination and bravery that a game such as today's required, yet combined this with a deft touch, intelligent reading of the game and calm finishing that is the trademark of her game, another big leader on the pitch. At the top of the formation, Tia and Inka provided the forward threat that picked at the City defence constantly, a combination that grows in effectiveness week by week, full of touches and finesse, running for each other on and off the ball to fine effect and great link up passing to put one or other through to a shooting opportunity. Finally, in a game where substitutions were implemented purely tactically and in the end sparingly a word for, Faye, Simi and Abby who along with the cheering Elly, accepted their lack of activity for the cause of the team, always ready, each with their own particularly spice to add to the pot.
After such a satisfying performance it is perhaps easy to wallow in hyperbole, but to my mind this was the team's greatest performance in four terrific seasons - a high accolade in view of the girls' back catalogue of outstanding matches, but one I think is deserved. I am so pleased that so many blues supporters were there to witness it. The volume and positivity of your support carried the team through and for that the girls and I are and remain, extremely appreciative.
A new standard was set this week. Well done to one and all.
Result: won 3-5
Team: Skye, Louise, Emily (c), Tyler, Abigail, Scarlett, Ellie-Mae, Inka, Tia
Subs: Faye, Simi, Abby
Scorers: Inka (2), Ellie-Mae, Abigail, Scarlett
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